بشارة رسول اللہ بفتح السند والہند

The use of similes, metaphors, proverbs and idioms is given its due prestige in the annals of literature. To mention their use in the Islamic literature especially in the sayings of our Holy Prophet (PBUH) renders an ease and comfort in order to elaborate upon the Islamic teachings. It not only enhances interest but renders an inexplicable charm to explicate Islamic teachings so as to make them easy to comprehend. The use of figurative language enhances the rhythmic flow and charm of language and thus brings in a huge impact on literature. It is in this way that the proselytization task be done in an easy effective manners.

Effectiveness of Parental Counseling in Parent-Child Relational Problems: A Mixed Methods Approach

Present study was carried out to measure the effectiveness of parental counseling in parent-child relational problems. The study also aimed at developing and evaluating an indigenous counseling plan for parents having problems in relationship with their children. The research consisted of four studies, following a multiphasic mixed methods research design. In Phase I of Study-I the main objective was to translate the Parent-Child Relationship Inventory in Urdu language. This phase was followed by Phase-II which was aimed to test the translated version of PCRI Urdu version on a sample of 80 parents. Phase III was intended to identify cases of parent-child relational problems in the normal population of parents and to measure the impact of parental personality on parent-child relationships. This phase followed by a correlational survey research design. A sample of 342 parents with fathers (n = 159) and mothers (n = 183) who were having children between 3-14 years, was selected from 24 schools of Sargodha by using purposive sampling and from personal contacts. The age range of the sample was between 31 to 57 years (M = 41.40, SD = 8.19). Parent child relationship inventory (PCRI) by Gerard (1994) and Neo five factor inventory-3 (Neo-FFI-3) by (Costa & McCrae, 2007) were used to measure parent-child relationships and parental personality respectively. Results of multiple regression analysis revealed that parental personality traits have a significant effect on parent-child relationships. Results further suggested that openness to experience was a significant positive predictor of communication, satisfaction, involvement, and parental support while significant negative predictor of limit setting, and autonomy;agreeableness was a significant positive predictor of satisfaction and autonomy, while significant negative predictor of support and limit setting; extraversion was a significant negative predictor of communication and involvement, while significant positive predictor of support; conscientiousness was a significant positive predictor of satisfaction, involvement, autonomy and role orientation. Neuroticism was a significant positive predictor of satisfaction, involvement, limit setting and significant negative predictor of autonomy and role orientation. While, overall, parental personality traits found to have significant effect on involvement, communication and satisfaction and non-significant impact on limit setting and role orientation. Results of PCRI also identified cases of parent-child relational problems. Frequency of cases depicted that most of the problems in parent child relationship were associated with communication, limit setting and involvement. The Study-II of this research was intended to explore causes behind parent-child relational problems and management strategies used by effective and ineffective parents to deal with these problems. Exploratory research design was used for this phase of the study. A sample of 20 parents was selected from the data of Phase-I though purposive convenient sampling. Sample was further divided into parents having good relationship with children (n = 10) and parents having relationship problems with their children (n = 10). The age of sample ranged from 29 to 56 years with (M = 41.2, S.D = 4.67). A semi-structured interview protocol was used to measure the objectives of study. Results of content analysis revealed that ineffective parents have children with more severe behavioral problems as compared to those who have good relationship with children. Moreover, analysis also revealed that ineffective parents use more intensive and negative strategies for management of relationship problems while effective parents use more positive and constructive strategies. These results helped in developing an indigenous counseling program for parents. In Study-III of this research, the main objectives were to develop an indigenous parental counseling program to help parents with parent-child relational problems and implement it on a sample of identified parents. A 6-sessions counseling program was developed using psychoeducational model. Sessions of the program covered the problematic areas highlighted in first two phases of the study, i.e. discipline, responsibility, communication, limit setting, behavior modification and establishing good parent-child relationship. The program followed all ethical standards described by American Psychiatric Association. Furthermore, the content and structure of the program was validated through committee approach which involved practicing psychotherapists and counselors who had appropriate qualification and expertise in the field of psychology. In the next step few sessions of approved counseling program were applied on a small group of identified parents to see whether language and contents of the program were understandable by the target population. After successful completion of pilot testing, final version of counseling program was implemented on a group of 31 parent with (n = 20) mothers and (n = 11) fathers. The age range of the sample was between 31-52 years with (M = 38.63; &S.D = 12.36). A structured and constructive guidance was provided to the parents throughout the counseling program by using different activities to bring a positive change in their parenting which resultantly improved their relationship with children. After completion of the counseling program the final phase was conducted. Study-IV was aimed at the validation of parent-child relationship counseling program. In this phase, sample of phase-III was post-tested using PCRI to measure the improvement in problematic areas and counseling program feedback form was administered to measure the parents’ evaluation about the program. An 18-item (objective & descriptive) feedback form was developed to evaluate the counseling program. Results of feedback form showed high parental satisfaction with the program. Present study is the substantial contribution in the existing knowledge and theories about parenting practices and parent-child relational problems in the countries like Pakistan. Results of the current study will be helpful for mental health professionals and family counselors working with Pakistani parents across the world to deal with cases of parent-child relational problems. The simplicity and clarity of counseling program makes its use easy for the mental health professionals to use it in different settings. While, the language, contents and structure of the program are not culturally biased so can be used with any population, culture or ethnic group.